Ranking Disneyland's Top Thrill Rides

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Families come to the Disneyland Resort for the fun, to ride the rides, see the shows and catch up with their favorite Disney pals. Everything at Disneyland is geared toward families, so when we're talking thrills, it's a relative term. We’re ranking Disneyland’s top thrill rides so you can find the perfect amount of excitement for your “first-ever, finally tall enough to ride” tadpole to your veteran thrill seekers.

Most of Disney California Adventure and Disneyland's top thrill rides are on the milder side, more euphoria-inducing than death-defying (for the latter, you'd need to travel farther north to Knott's Berry Farm or Six Flags Magic Mountain). There are a few thrill rides that pack a punch (Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: Breakout! has some free-fall sensation drop sequences that you’ll definitely want to do before a big meal). Many more will provide a good ol' adrenaline rush — perfect for fun-loving parents and adventure-seeking kids. Today, we're talking about Disneyland's top thrill rides, those hang-onto-your-hat and maybe even keep-your-eyes-closed-for-parts-of-it experiences. Let's get started!

This action-packed enhanced motion vehicle dark ride follows Dr. Jones over rough terrain on a fast-paced quest through the Temple of the Forbidden Eye. It offers some of the best theming this side of the Disneyland Resort!

One of Disneyland's famed mountains, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, looks more intimidating than it actually is. Themed after the Old West, it remains an enduring family coaster — and a first coaster for many.

Put on your 3-D flight glasses before taking off on this simulated space flight with C-3PO as your pilot (FYI: he’s not programmed to fly this thing) and R2-D2 as your copilot. As you are about to launch, you might be intercepted by members of the First Order. C-3PO takes control and rockets you into the farthest reaches of the galaxy. Part of the thrill is that you’ll encounter different Star Wars characters and travel to different lands each time you take flight. The newest planet you’ll visit is Batuu. It’s on the outer rim of the galaxy, and gives you a sneak peak at what we’ll see when Star Wars Land: Galaxy’s Edge opens at Disneyland in 2019.

The first tubular steel coaster ever constructed has gone through several significant refurbishments over the years, but remains an endearing family favorite. Made to resemble the Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps, it features two intertwining tracks, a chain lift and then an unpowered descent through its many caverns. Watch out for the Abominable Snowman!

One of Disneyland Resort's most popular attractions is a high-thrills joy ride through the Ornamental Valley. It's also the best-themed attraction in all of Disney California Adventure that includes a mischievous trip through Radiator Springs and a chance to encounter some of your favorite Cars characters.

Hard to believe that Space Mountain, the second roller coaster built at Disneyland, is over 40 years old. The rocket ship roller coaster through the twists and turns of deep space is a delight for Space Mountain first-timers and veterans alike. Space Mountain has been known to morph into a scarier Ghost Galaxy at Halloween Time and even had a run as Hyperspace Mountain with a Star Wars theme. No, it never gets old. And with a new Single Rider line, riders age 7 and up can skip the traditionally long wait.

When we heard they were taking away The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and replacing it with a Marvel ride at Disney California Adventure, we all screamed in horror (OK, Tad was definitely intrigued). We mourned the loss of an old favorite … that is until we rode the new one! Step into Collector Tanaleer Tivan’s private collection of living beings and artifacts from throughout the Universe. You’ll see that he has captured the Guardians of the Galaxy. They aren’t happy about it, but Rocket escapes and needs your help in freeing his friends and everyone one else in that “freakshow” (his words, not mine). He’ll tell you all about it before you board the Gantry Lift and give him access and security clearance. This immersive ride is crazy fun and exciting with a rocking soundtrack, hilarious scenes and unexpected thrills. In fact, each ride offers one of six different songs.

An old favorite, California Screamin’, is getting rethemed into the Incredicoaster for the opening of the new Pixar Pier area opening summer 2018. While it's not yet open, we expect it will be very popular! Step into the Parr home and get immersed into a bad babysitting job gone horribly wrong. (Parenting tip: Don’t hire Edna to babysit.) The new coaster will include enclosed tunnels and an involved storyline. Help a 40-foot stretched out Mrs. Incredible (aka Elastigirl) capture baby Jack-Jack. All the Incredibles characters will use their strengths in this mission, I mean coaster. You’ll definitely be using your strength to hold on tight. With a launch from 0 to 55 mph, Incredicoaster packs a punch! The steel coaster made to look like an old-fashioned wooden coaster has a loop, plenty of hills and gorgeous views of Disney California Adventure and the mountains beyond!